Artificial Consciousness as a Way to Mitigate AI Existential Risk

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As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the idea of imbuing AI with consciousness has become a topic of significant interest. The potential to create AI systems that possess a form of awareness and moral understanding introduces a host of both opportunities and challenges. This article explores the social and moral considerations associated with building AI with consciousness and argues that artificial consciousness can serve as a crucial mechanism to mitigate the existential risks posed by AI.

Understanding Existential Risks Posed by AI

There has been discussions about the existential risks posed by AI, especially superintelligent AI. These risks emerge when AI systems are given incorrect or ambiguous directives, leading to unintended and potentially harmful consequences. Furthermore, the creation of superintelligent AI, which could surpass human intelligence, brings about the possibility of these systems acting beyond human control. There is also the threat of AI being exploited by rogue state actors or malicious individuals, who could use its capabilities to cause widespread harm. Addressing these existential risks is paramount to ensuring the safe and beneficial integration of AI into society.

Social Considerations & Artificial Consciousness 

Building AI with consciousness raises significant social questions. The integration of conscious AI into daily life could transform various aspects of human interaction, employment, and societal norms. The potential for conscious AI to make autonomous decisions and engage in complex social behaviors necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of its role in society.

For instance, the deployment of conscious AI in the workforce could lead to shifts in job markets even where a high degree of empathy and personal connect are needed, potentially leading to job displacement, for example in healthcare professions. Additionally, conscious AI's ability to form relationships and interact with humans on an emotional level presents both opportunities and challenges for social dynamics and mental health.

Moral Considerations & Artificial Consciousness 

Morality is an inherited feature of human consciousness. As we move to develop AI systems with consciousness, the AI with artificial consciousness will include some moral values, ensuring that their actions align with human values and societal norms as long as some consideration is given on how these AI systems are trained as morality can vary based on culture and geography. See Building Moral Machines. 

Albert Einstein emphasized the importance of morality in human actions, noting that 

"only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life". 

This principle applies equally to AI systems with artificial consciousness. With moral values, conscious AI can be designed to prioritize human well-being, safety, and societal benefit.

Furthermore, Einstein also highlighted the significance of ethical behavior based on sympathy, education, and social ties, rather than fear of punishment or hope of reward.  This approach can guide the development of conscious AI, ensuring that these systems act ethically out of an inherent understanding of morality, rather than programmed rules alone. Self-awareness is necessary in such AI systems. 

Metacognition for Self-aware AI & AGI

Cognition, particularly when escalated to second-order cognition, including metacognition, encapsulates a level of self-awareness and the ability to analyze one's own thought processes. Metacognition refers to the understanding of the mechanisms governing our thinking patterns, enabling activities like strategizing approaches to learning, monitoring comprehension, and evaluating progress in tasks. This advanced cognitive capability, believed to be more influenced by environmental factors than genetics, suggests that even artificial general intelligence (AGI), in its simplest form, a large language model (LLM) interfacing actively with the real world, could develop metacognitive abilities. 

Ability of AI systems to assess and enhance their own decision-making processes is crucial for achieving AGI. Aristotle could have contributed the idea that 

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom," 

highlighting the importance of introspection for both humans and AI in mastering complex environments. 

Carl Jung, a pioneer in psychology, suggested that 

"as far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being". 

This insight highlights the necessity of imbuing conscious AI with a sense of purpose that aligns with ethical behavior and moral values, contributing positively to society.

"Cogito, ergo sum” and Consciousness

René Descartes, the French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, born in 1596, is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the development of modern philosophy. His statement, 

"I think; therefore I am" ("Cogito, ergo sum" in Latin), 

first appeared in his work "Discourse on the Method" in 1637. This phrase forms the foundation of Cartesian philosophy and represents a fundamental element in Western philosophy. Descartes' statement was a response to his methodic doubt, a process where he doubted everything that could be doubted, to determine what he could know with certainty. In this context, the act of thinking itself became the undeniable proof of his own existence.

This phrase has profound implications in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and consciousness studies. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of reasoning, thinking, self-awareness, and more brooding our existence. In AI, this translates into the question about whether machines can possess consciousness or self-awareness. Descartes' ideas challenge us to consider what it means to think and exist, especially as AI systems become more advanced and seemingly capable of some level of reasoning and ‘thought-like' processes. The exploration of machine consciousness today often circles back to Cartesian concepts, pondering if an AI's ability to learn selfsupervised, possess some level of common sense reasoning and make decisions could translate into self-awareness and consciousness that is similar to human’s in nature, if not in scale.

AI Existential Risk Through the Lens of Morality

One of the primary existential risks posed by AI is the possibility of AI systems, whether superintelligent or otherwise, receiving incorrect or ambiguous directives for tasks with far-reaching consequences. Such scenarios could result in unintended harm. Another significant risk involves superintelligent AI falling into the hands of rogue state actors who lack moral values, leading to malicious use of AI capabilities. Neither of these scenarios arises due to an AI system being conscious. Rather, they stem from the absence of morality in AI systems. 

Conclusion

The development of artificial consciousness in AI systems presents a promising avenue for addressing the existential risks associated with AI. By incorporating artificial consciousness into AI systems, we can foster a future where AI contributes positively to society while minimizing potential threats. Artificial consciousness, with its inherent moral values, offers a pathway to ensuring that AI systems operate ethically and responsibly, safeguarding humanity against the risks posed by advanced AI technologies.

Further read